mama_destiny Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 I was prescribed a Betablocker this past summer by a local Cardiologist, who isn't very familar with POTS. He didn't know that I also deal with Bradycardia, on top of the Tachycardia, so I didn't end up getting th prescription filled out of fear that my HR would get even lower than normal. I went to my primary dr. last week to get back on Lexapro to see if that would help me again(it helped before when I had a major episode, when she diagnosed me with "anxiety/depression" , 2yrs ago), but she suggested Zoloft, since I am still nursing my son. Anyways, I let her know that I was prescribed the betablocker but hadn't filled it, so she wrote me a new prescription for one and said that it should be safe and it shouldn't make my HR go any lower than it normally goes (43bps is the lowest I have seen, just sitting on the couch), since I am young and healthy. Of course, I am still a little hesitant since these two Dr.'s don't know much at all about POTS. My Primary actually asked me what Dysautonomia was...not sure if she was 'testing' me, thinking I was just letting my "anxiety" get the best of me by thinking I had Dysautonomia/POTS, or if she truly didn't know about it? Hmmm. I understand many POTS patients take betablockers, but I just wanted to see if others who also deal with Bradycardia take a Betablocker without issues?Sorry if some of this doesn't make a whole lot of sense, I've got brainfog going on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badhbt Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 I only have tachycardia...so that is a tricky one. I wouldn't think that you would want your pulse to go lower than 43. Do you have low blood pressure too? I know when I was in the hospital they would hold my betablocker if my bp was less than 90/60. I am sure there is a limit for the pulse also. Which beta are you on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mama_destiny Posted January 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 I do have low blood pressure, my normal is around 100/60, but I've seen it go down to 87/53. It's Labetalol 100mg that she prescribed me. I haven't taken it yet, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Alex Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 That's a tricky one for sure.Any chance you can go back to see the cardio that prescribed the beta for you and explain the whole picture to him - tachy and brady episodes plus the low-ish BP?I'm no doctor, but a HR of 43, and a BP of 90-100/50-60 even in a very young and healthy person shouldn't call for labetalol.One question that comes to mind - were you properly diagnosed with POTS or another form of dysautonomia by a specialist? If so s/he should be your "go to" person for treatment. My family dr is also really nice and would help me with "emergency" refills for any prescriptions my specialist has given me if I were to really run out of options, but she also stated that she didn't feel comfortable prescribing something for a condition she is not familiar with (like POTS or dysautonomia) - and I really respect her for that.I hope you figure out the best option for you.Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitt Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badhbt Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 I know Doctors find it helpful if you show them your bp/pulse for a few days.....like three times a day. Maybe give them a better picture of what your range is.I would definitely check again with your Doctor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anna Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 I would recommend you keep a BP and HR diary/chart I use this chart http://www.vertex42.com/Files/pdfs/1/blood-pressure-log.pdf it is a free use material. Chart your BP and HR for a week then pop back to your GP for advice, in my experience I have found BB's make my low resting HR lower and I get a lot of compensatory stuff going on with my BP! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuesday Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 I have/had bradycardia, and I was put on Toprol for awhile (for tachycardia) and I really couldn't tolerate it. My heart rate ranges from 38 sitting down to 140 standing and walking across the room. The beta blocker made me ridiculously tired and fatigued, to the point I didn't feel I could function any more. It's worth giving it a shot, but you should know fairly soon if it's going to work for you.As for my tachycardia, it has settled down once I got my blood volume and blood pressure under control, but now I'm having high bp instead of low. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YolaInBlue Posted January 18, 2013 Report Share Posted January 18, 2013 I have tried 2 beta blockers, Bystolic and Pindolol, for tachycardia and blood pressure spikes. I also have brachycardia sometimes and normal resting heart rate in the upper 50's. When I was on beta blockers I started seeing heart rates in the low 40's and they freaked me out more than my high ones. I tried smaller doses than prescribed and I'm glad for that.Today I talked to my cardiologist and he agreed that I shouldn't take them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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